Training
In VA, there is a bill proposed that, effectively, would ban firearms training:
A person is guilty of unlawful paramilitary activity, punishable as a Class 5 felony if he: 1. Teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, explosive, or incendiary device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to persons, knowing or having reason to know or intending that such training will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, a civil disorder
This goes beyond your average ordinary gun control pipe dreams and is a shot at the culture and education about firearms.
Update: Via Tam and in comments, the third paragraph is new and this seems to target open carry protesters. Here’s the text of the bill.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:01 am
That bill was passed in 1987.
The new bill only adds the third paragraph.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:03 am
Except that, as Tam pointed out, this law has been in place since 1987 and the amendment currently being proposed only adds the following paragraph:
“3. Assembles with one or more persons with the intent of intimidating any person or group of persons by drilling, parading, or marching with any firearm, any explosive or incendiary device, or any components or combination thereof.”
https://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2019/11/believing-what-you-read-on-internet.html
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:33 am
I’m guilty of not reading the whole thing. And MattW is too.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:42 am
Well, all manner of draconian gun laws are possible, or probable after the last election there. I don’t live in that state, but I donated to the VCDL anyway.
They are on the front line of a fight that’ll make its way to our doorstep, sooner or later.
December 3rd, 2019 at 11:53 am
“3. Assembles with one or more persons with the intent of intimidating any person or group of persons by drilling, parading, or marching with any firearm, any explosive or incendiary device, or any components or combination thereof.”
sounds like it can be applied to the police themselves?
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:14 pm
The Community Reinvestment Act was signed by Carter, in the 70’s.
BUT the 1992 “amendment” only took 7 years to destroy the housing industry.
Anyone who thinks that this amendment won’t be used to force the issue is kidding themselves.
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Well yes of course it’ll be used to force the issue.
The difference between a socialist, and a democratic socialist. The socialist has a gulag he can throw you into. The democratic socialist wants one he can throw you in to.
December 3rd, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Well, my comment was written and posted before Tam’s appeared and the update added, but it doesn’t really matter.
NJ Mike: no one is saying the language of the law isn’t dangerously broad or has the potential to be abused and target gun culture, only that the law has been in place for over 30 years and hasn’t been used in that way yet, so it may not be time for a full blown meltdown.
December 3rd, 2019 at 2:42 pm
While I usually like Tam’s enlightening explanations, why do I hear echos of “It can’t happen here” in this particular one?
December 3rd, 2019 at 2:53 pm
“sounds like it can be applied to the police themselves?” –tincankilla
As is their usual modus operandus, they EXEMPT THEMSELVES from laws, especially gun laws, they pass against us IN VIOLATION of “the equal protection of the laws” (14th Amendment). So much for “the rule of law” and “no one is above the law”!!!
December 3rd, 2019 at 9:19 pm
So torches are right out, but pitchforks are not mentioned.
December 4th, 2019 at 8:41 am
I wonder if they will try to apply this to the paintball combat cosplay types? I know from first hand observation that rural (and even not-so-rural) Virginia is crawling with ’em every weekend.
December 4th, 2019 at 10:49 am
https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/04/Prohibiting-Private-Armies-at-Public-Rallies.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi667eWnpzmAhXGl54KHYbJAPoQFjAAegQIBBAC&usg=AOvVaw2DzbdEGKA5kldurcCO9hSl
This link has a good summary of these laws nationwide. TLDR — unless you live in UT, AK, HI, or ME your state has some sort of anti paramilitary law on the books.
Also, the very next chapter of VA law has a set of exceptions.
The local authorities will jam you up on a vague law if they want to. The most important thing in VA is the attitude of local LE and the commonwealth attorney regarding enforcement.